Charges, Bond Increased Against Woman Accused In Fatal Shooting

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Angela Grasso-Cunha, 27, had her charges increased to murder in the death of Jose Mendez. (Courtesy of West Hartford Police Department)

HARTFORD — Charges against the woman accused of killing her 23-year-old boyfriend who she said repeatedly threatened to kill her and her children were increased from manslaughter to murder on Thursday.

Bail for Angela Grasso-Cunha was also increased to $2 million during her appearance in Superior Court.

Grasso-Cunha had previously posted $750,000 through the company she works for, Capital Bail Bonds. Judge Joan Alexander required that the new bond be posted at court and that it be reviewed by a judge before she’s released.

Grasso-Cunha said Jose Mendez, 23, whom she had been dating for a few weeks, accused her of cheating and repeatedly threatened her life and that of her family as they rode in his car, according to a West Hartford police report.

In his statement to the judge about increasing the charges, state prosecutor Tom Garcia said that continuing investigation, including video that police viewed during the hour prior to the shooting, indicates that she wasn’t threatened and that she had opportunities to get away from Mendez.

In light of that, her story “rings very hollow,” Garcia said.

Grasso-Cunha’s attorney, Walter Hussey, said the video is misleading because the situation escalated immediately prior to the shooting, in the period after the video that police viewed.

2 comments

Melissa

She executed an unarmed man?? Was she supposed to wait until he had a weapon and they had a shoot out?? She felt threatened and stopped him from hurting her, her family, and possibly the next chick who is tired of being abused by men! What gives men the right to treat others so badly verbally and physically?

Pedro Ortiz

My point exactly..we was not there so who knows the fear he had put into her..smh..His history says it all!! Woman beater and no respect for children..He was a sick and dangerous person who should not have been free with pending violations of restraining orders period!! Thanks H.P.D